Memorial Day 2022: A reminder to remember those who sacrificed it all

Memorial Day message from Kim Komando

Years ago, I heard someone correct someone else who said, “Happy Memorial Day.” There’s nothing happy about the day, they said. It’s about remembering servicemen and women who’ve died during conflicts.

That person wasn’t wrong. Memorial Day was created as a day set aside to decorate the graves of soldiers who died defending the U.S. during the most recent battle. When you dig around and read about the history of Memorial Day, it’s evolved from a quiet day of remembrance to a three-day weekend packed with parades, barbeques and Memorial Day sales.

Check out the wording from the original declaration: “In this observance, no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.” In other words, the founders of Memorial Day left it up to us to decide how to remember fallen soldiers. There’s no single “right” way to do it.

The words duty, honor, and selflessness are self-evident when we consider America’s Honored Dead. The message of the day is this: Do our best to live our lives by the rules of those who died for us.

So, fly your flag. Explain to your children and grandchildren the real meaning of today. And never forget that our lives are possible only because of the duty, honor, and selflessness of those who gave everything to protect and defend this great country.

To my family and me, Memorial Day is about spending quality time together and expressing our gratitude for all those who made our safety and freedoms possible.

Helpful resources for veterans and their families

This list of websites helps veterans connect with former military units, find information about benefits and services, and stay updated on military news. Tap or click for sites for veterans to reconnect, get services, and more.

The Kim Komando Show airs on 425 radio stations around the country, including the American Forces Network, which broadcasts radio programming to U.S. military personnel and their families at bases worldwide. Tap or click to check MyAFN for program schedules of The Kim Komando Show.

As my gift to you, I’m offering 30 days free to the Komando Community in honor of Memorial Day. Get instant access to watch my show or listen to it anytime, catch up on past episodes, read all my eBooks for free and get answers to your digital questions. Tap or click here to try it out.

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